What a wonderful report! Thank you for posting this! I had such a bad day at work and this report made me feel better!!

Agnes, if this makes someone feel good, I'm happy it was you.............thx.......Bill

MetroplexJim, Jim, I agree on the salt, I don't salt much myself. I found 3 out of the 4 sandwiches I had lacked salt. The only one that was just right was the Katz,s Pastrami. That doesn't surprise me, it is carved to order and juicy...............take care,,,,,,,Bill

I'm trying to get all of this in, The Corn is knee high and being away from home for two weeks isn't easy. The weeds wait for no one, I wish this was a money crop, I could grow weeds with the best of them. The RT is a great place to eat, they offer everything and anything a family could ask for..................We are off to Washington DC, it's only a shot 1 1/2 hr train ride, see you soon...........

These are some sticky buns at the RT.

A Stop at Pats for a Philly Cheese Steak, the owner is a great guy, 74 yrs old, he started there when he was 11.......Joyce and I shared a sandwich.

Standing in line to see the Liberty Bell, these guys came flying in.

I almost forgot, Mollie was there

The Italian Market is a few blocks from Pats King of Steaks. This is a cheese shop in the market, they make their own Mozzarella cheese by hand.

We are back on the train, last night we had Fried Ipswich clams and a Lobster Roll and the Oyster House. Being from New England, I was in 7th heaven.........Joyce and Mollie loved China Town, the RT and walk around the Historical areas of Philadelphia. Philly is a great town to visit, it is a short train ride from NYC, I would come back in a heartbeat....

I thoroughly enjoyed this post as I grew up in Chicago. One thing though, I don't know of any Chi town natives that ever ate a deep dish pizza. What surprised me as well was the trip on the Amtrak. Looked like something I could enjoy when I retire and take the missuz along.

Washington DC, what can I say, The last time here, I got a parking ticket by the White House,This time I took the train. We stayed at the Marriott near the White house, Great location, near the National Mall, Ford Theater and Restaurants and food courts. Washington DC is a Eat when you can kind of place. I stopped looking for Roadfood places in this town. We kept Mollie busy seeing everything we could see. The Food court at the Ronald Reagan Building is a good lunch stop, it has Deli's, Chinese, Pizza, you name it, it has it, great place to stop when your dogs are tired. This is Mollie happy waiting in line at the National Archives.

this is Mollie 45 minutes later

This was in front of the Smithsonian. If you remember the Ice cream cost a bit more at this truck. Most of the time it was Mister Softee for us, this truck was for the rich folk.

They had a bunch of old War time posters, I thought this one was interesting

Well that's about it, like I said Washington DC was eating on the run. It was more making sure Mollie was having fun and seeing everything we could, with out pushing to much at her. She got to go to all the Smithsonian Museums, we toured the Capital, walked the National Mall from end to end.............. When you visit Washington DC, you realize just how lucky you are to be living here.

Mollie thinking over what this place will look like when she will live here. I was wondering what room I get, I better stop yelling at her, pay backs are He-l

Lincoln Memoral

WW2 memorial

Vietnam Memorial

This is the end of the trip, we flew back through Seattle and then a short hop over the mountain home. This was a great trip, we all had a great time. Mollie traveled through 12 States in 14 days. Mollie has traveled over 5000 miles in two years on a train, last yr through Canada, this yr over the top of America. There is one thing you learn when you travel through America. There are a lot of good people along the way, we live in a wonderful country. ..............Thank you all for the kindness you show to my family during this report. ..............Bill

Thanks for this great report, thanks for doing it! Being from the Northeast, none of the food places were new to me, but I always love it when "outsiders" give their take on the food stops.

For what it's worth, we (myself and my family) were somewhat disapointed in general with RTM, and especially Di Nics. Agree totally with your assessment. I have been to the original (at least I think it's the original) in NJ a couple of times and I still describe the roast pork as one of the best hot sandwiches I've ever had. Not so at RTM. Totally different clientele in NJ, mostly local, and the guys behind the counter are glad to see you. http://www.dinicsnj.com/

Pnwchef.........once again you....and Mollie.....and the "one who remains hidden" have done an outstanding job....and glad you had fun!

I had to laugh at the bit about the Sansome St. Oyster House! As en ex-New Englander, you were brave to try it....and as a fellow ex- New Englander, I can tell you I have never been disappointed there........just not a place I'd normally take outta-towners to.

Too bad you didn't get up to the 2Amys in DC. Mollie might have liked the pizza, but I'm partial to all their small plate offerings. I was also pleasantly surprised by the offerings in the American Indian Museum and the National Gallery ( I think that was the bldg.)

eruby: You don't know how hard it was to pass Yonah's. We stopped at Pommes Frites and we all had some fries before we walked down to Katz's. I did walk into Russ and Daughters, what a Gem. It was raining that afternoon, it wouldn't be easy for me to get my family to try these kinds of foods. When my wife was growing up, the only Jewish person they knew of was Jerry Lewis when he did his Telethon.

FriedClamFanatic: I liked the Oyster House in Philadelphia, the clams were good, never enough, but real good, the Lobster roll was New England style, I like the CT way, but hey, Lobsta is Lobsta.......If I lived closer this Oyster house would be part of my stopping places every few months.

ken8038: The RTM, fit the family well, it offered Mollie a piece of Lasagna or a slice of pizza with a Chocolate Pretzel for dessert, Joyce may want a open faced turkey sandwich at the Dutch place with a Ice cream cone for dessert from Bassetts. I may want an Italian Sub from the Salumeria, or a Roast Pork at DiNic's. It may not be the best of everything, but it sure did the job for us. I enjoyed the RTM much more than Pikes Square Mkt in Seattle. I really liked the Italian mkt, I was there on a Saturday morning. It was like going back in time. I think I also got to see a few old Dons sitting in front of some of the mkts with a strong arm standing behind him. I also stopped at John's Italian ice for some water ice.........thx ....Bill

love2bake: The day we went to the Vietnam Memorial, it was rainy and gloomy. As you know the wall starts out short, then gets taller at the middle. When I got to the middle of the wall, I felt a calm, peaceful feeling. I felt like I was among old friends, a said time for our country, a lot of old memories of friends long gone. I saw some older Vets, with tears in their eyes, sadness in their faces and pride in their hearts. I was happy I went........................Thx for the kind words..............Bill

pnwchef....Great travelogue and sharp photos...I always truly enjoy your reports and restaurant insight. Coincidentally, you hit on 4 of the areas we have lived in and would venture into...Burbs of DC/Chicago/Philly, and Upstate NY. I agree that it's important to expose children to travel and to experience many different areas, cultures, and food traditions. Our Daughter definitely benefitted. Thanks again

pnwchef, such a great report! Mollie is very fortunate to have grandparents who like to travels and take her along on the adventure. That Amtrak food looked pretty good. I hope one day soon to make my way to Chicago for some of that pizza and Italian beef!

So glad you had yet another wonderful experience at Peter Lugers. Going there in a few weeks for my girlfriend's birthday. Steak or burger? Choices, choices... One of the few places that just seems to get better everytime I go. I may have to recommend the Casablanca Hotel to my family and friends who come down. Thanks for the info and awesome pics on that!

And Katz's, well...that's all! When you first told me about having mustard on the reuben I couldn't see it working with the 1000 Island dressing but now seeing it alone and the sandwich you have given me a new variation to try. And that picture? Pure food porn!

So glad you all enjoyed Pommes Frites. That Sweet Mango Chutney mayo is my "go-to" sauce but that Smoked Eggplant is pretty great too. And during many of the too-many-to-count times I have been there I have seen them making the sauces by hand. They use Hellman's mayo as a base but I've seen them chopping up cilantro, rosemary, dill and other herb and ingredients and blending them in a food preocessor. Really impressed me that they don't use pre-bottled sauces. Glad I could steer you to some tasty vittles!

Wintahaba, Don't forget, the train went through Wisconsin, we blew the whistle, where the heck were you........maybe next time...thx for the kind words.

billyboy: Peter Lugers is only a short 3000 mile hike for us. I had to take Trains, planes and Automobiles to get there. You let me get into the line at Katz's, with the memory of the picture of the Brisket Sandwich you had on your last visit. How does a person have his cake, and eat it too ??? I figured, you of all people would know the answer to this question. I just had to order the Pastrami, The Reuben idea, I got from you, and I'm happy I did. Having the kraut, mustard, melted Swiss pilled high on Rye bread, was the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Now Billy, you ask me to make the choice for you, to choose one of the best hamburgers in the world, or choose one of the best steaks in the land. No Billy, I will let you have sleepless nights, dream of the day that is coming soon that you and only you can decide on what you will order. Now Billy, imho, if you order the hamburger, with a side of bacon, I'm sure you can steal a few pieces of steak from the platter. Isn't this the closest you can come to, having your cake and eating it too ????? Billy, all kidding aside, thx so much for taking the time to respond to my questions. I love your insight and vision in seeking out quality food...............Bill ..........P.S. I hope you have a wonderful time at Peter Lugers, Happy Birthday wishes to your girlfriend.

Fantastic pictures and trip report! Dinics is on my totally overrated list. It wasn't so bad as to not want to finish my sandwich, but with that attitude and sense of "we are the best...deal with it" attitude, its a total turnoff and I would not go back personally. Those Peter Luger pictures made me drool! Sounds like an awesome time!

What a great report! I had the (ahem) pleasure of an overnight on Amtrak and I loved your description! So many great pics, happy to hear of the hotel in NYC, will be checking it out. Thanks for sharing your travels!

Great report, pnwchef! Your trips always take me to some Roadfood favorites that I might never get to visit. I did go to RTM two years ago - and on the train from NC! - and I must agree about DiNics in that it didn't live up to all the hype I had read. But there was a Cajun restaurant that had great food the day I met some internet forum friends at RTM. I think the name is Beck's Cajun Cafe if you're ever back to the RTM.

tcrouzer, TnTinCT, Buffalo Tarheel, strongy78, Buck & Vi's,, Thanks to all.....We enjoyes Philadelphia more than we thought we would. The RTM was wonderful, The Historical site were great. Mollie and my wife had a ball going through the small shops of China Town. The Italian mkt is a gem, the people were great...........Taking the train from NYC to Philly was fast and easy. It doesn't take all day like trying to fly from one city to another. Taking the train is the way to go, Philly is a real easy walking city, it's also a great food city............my kind of town, we will be back.........pnwc